RFI SAR Data.pdf

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA)

National Weather Service (NWS)

National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP)

Ocean Prediction Center (OPC)

U.S. National Ice Center (USNIC)

Request for Information (RFI)

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Data

This RFI notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. It is not a request for quotes nor does it obligate the government in any way. The Government will not reimburse the respondents for any costs associated with the information submitted in response to this request. Additionally, this RFI notice does not guarantee that the government will issue a request for quotes or award a contract for supplies or services.

SECTION I. GENERAL

The National Weather Service (NWS), Ocean Prediction Center (OPC), U.S. National Ice Center

(USNIC) has a need for georeferenced GeoTIFFs of global coverage in accessible electronic format 24/7/365 and with the capability of near-real-time latency. SAR imagery’s benefits remain helpful to the persistence of USNIC’s operational programs of earth surface observation in the poor weather or illumination conditions of the polar latitudes. Near-real-time latency is considered to be the capability of delivering images deemed to be time critical to USNIC no more than approximately four (4) hours from time of satellite acquisition. Delivery beyond this period prohibits the USNIC from fulfilling an operational requirement to produce timely products and respond to tactical needs.

The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 517410, Satellite Telecommunications.

SECTION II. INFORMATION REQUESTED

This RFI has five (5) main capability requirements. In order for a vendor to be determined capable, they must be able to perform or deliver in accordance with all 5 requirements.

The attached draft Statement of Work (SOW) to this RFI provides additional context to the overall effort.

The Government requests the following information:

1. A capabilities statement that addresses all aspects, including those identified in parentheses, of each capability requirement identified below:

A. Delivery of SAR data to include: Acquisition scheduling, operations, and customer support in order to task satellites, ground reception, processing, and transcription of the data, and staging of the data in a near-real time manner (less than four hours from satellite acquisition to delivery). Do you have such capabilities and expertise? If so, please describe it citing any relevant experience that you may have.

B. Areas of SAR data interest include: Arctic and Antarctic regions, Alaskan coastal regions including Bering Sea and selected rivers and lakes within Alaska, the Great

Lakes region, the Chesapeake and Delaware Bay region, occasional support of field operations primarily taking place in polar and high latitude regions, occasional support of global field operations and mitigation activities during environmental and man-made hazards, disasters, and emergencies. Do you have such capabilities and expertise? If so, please describe it citing any relevant experience that you may have.

C. Producing and delivering 300-400 scenes a year in predominantly widebeam modes

(swath width greater than or approximately equal to 100km) while also maintaining the ability to deliver less frequent high resolution imagery as needed (resolution less than 3m). Do you have such capabilities and expertise? If so, please describe it citing any relevant experience that you may have.

D. Systems capable of, or demonstrated access to, dual polarization and C band SAR images, as varied polarizations and imagery centered in the C band yield the most information about ice extent, features, and stage of development (used as a proxy for ice thickness). Do you have such capabilities and expertise? If so, please describe it citing any relevant experience that you may have.

E. A proven ability to provide the requested data over a period of five years to be substantiated with details on the current sensor constellation, future plans to improve the type, number, or quantity of sensors, and planned contingencies in case of catastrophe to satellites or ground systems. Do you have such capabilities and expertise? If so, please describe it citing any relevant experience that you may have.

2. Information is requested regarding the best suited pricing structure of a Firm-Fixed Price

(FFP) contract type with a base plus multiple option years. The pricing structure should align with the capabilities listed above as well as the overall confines and needs of the draft SOW, attached.

3. If you are an interested party, and are submitting a capabilities statement, complete all sections of the Market Research Questions found in Section III. Instructions for Submission.

4. A statement of intent to propose or not propose. This statement does not bind the Contractor to submit a proposal in response should a solicitation be issued on the government point of entry, SAM.gov. However, the purpose of this RFI is to determine the capabilities of the vendor pool, potential set-aside, best suited pricing structure, and anticipated competition.

SECTION III. INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMISSION

Response Limitations: We request each item in Section II be included in your submission. Your complete submission may include additional supporting figures, tables, graphics, pictures, or appendices. There is no page limitation. Any supporting materials included in your submission should be relevant to the capabilities that you can provide in relation to Section I. General.

Submission Deadline: Please send your submission via email to the attention of Contacting

Officer (CO) Shannon Falconi (Shannon.falconi@noaa.gov) no later than July 29, 2021 at 2:00

PM PST. Each page should be separately numbered. All responses shall be submitted electronically in PDF format.

Please review and respond to the following market research questions regarding business size.

● Please indicate your business classification for NAICS Code 517410, Satellite

Telecommunications (Size Standard of $35 Million) below:

☐ Small Business ☐ Other Than Small Business

● If your business classification is Small Business, do you anticipate remaining under the size standard of $15 Million or $32 Million for the next two years?

☐ Yes ☐ No

● If your business classification is Small Business, do you qualify under any of the following certification programs and socio-economic categories?

☐ HUBZone

☐ Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)

☐Women Owned Small Business (WOSB)

☐ 8(a)

● GSA Schedule Number if applicable

This RFI is being issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute an

Invitation for Bids (IFB), a Request for Proposals (RFP), a Request for Quotes (RFQ) or an indication that the Government will contract for any of the items and/or services contained in this notice. All information received in response to this notice that is marked Proprietary will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations. Responses to this notice will not be returned. In submitting a response, the responder is solely responsible and accountable for all the expenses associated with the response.

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